Mr Keough said a male police officer operated one of the rescue vessels, while a female officer also entered the water to help.

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter also responded to the incident.

Their statement said two children were initially reported to be in trouble in the water.

However, on arrival they found the adult female, who had made an attempted rescue, had been pulled from the water unconscious.

"The aircraft landed nearby, the on-board medical team assisted the Tweed Heads Ambulance crews who were already on scene before transporting the female to Tweed Heads Hospital by ambulance in a critical condition."